Aside from five-star quarterback Dante Moore officially signing on the dotted line and confirming his enrollment at Oregon, Duck fans received potentially the best news that they could have asked for on Sunday.
Quarterback Bo Nix officially announced he will return to Eugene for one more season, looking for one last hurrah with the Ducks.
Nix, who has played four collegiate seasons, has one more year of eligibility thanks to the COVID-19 season in 2020. In three years with Auburn Tigers, Nix threw for over 7,200 yards and 39 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He also added over 3,300 yards and 27 touchdowns with 6 interceptions in his one season with the Ducks.
There were many questions whether Nix would return for his final year of eligibility, and a number of factors likely went into his decision. After finding such success in Eugene following his transfer, many believed that he would take advantage of his boost in draft stock and declare for the NFL draft. With that option, plus the departure of former offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, the person who brought Nix to Eugene in the first place, it seemed more likely than not that No. 10 would only play one season with the Ducks.
However, other factors seemed to hold more weight. After an incredibly hot start to the season, Nix saw his name floated in the Heisman Trophy conversation, and the Ducks were on the doorsteps of a College Football Playoff appearance. In the end, Nix’s ankle injury suffered against the Washington Huskies derailed the end of Oregon’s season and may have left a sour taste in Nix’s mouth.
Might he think that with another healthy year in Eugene, this time with OC Will Stein, they could reach the heights we believed were possible in 2022?
I’m not going to speak for the quarterback, but that seems like it could have been one of the determining factors. Whatever reason you want to give credit to, what matters is that Oregon has its QB back and stability will remain.
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